OSCE/ODIHR Director Link commends release of Arif Yunus

WARSAW, 13 November 2015 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), welcomed yesterday’s decision by the Baku Court of Appeals to release Azerbaijani human rights activist Arif Yunus from prison. The court ordered the release on the basis of Yunus’ rapidly deteriorating health.

“The release of Arif Yunus is a positive humanitarian gesture,” said Director Link. “I hope further steps, including the release of Leyla Yunus, who also suffers from health problems, will follow. ODIHR continues to stand ready to engage constructively with the authorities of Azerbaijan on human dimension issues.”